Protesters have vowed to stage a race against time to save a popular sport and recreation club which is facing the axe.

Protesters have vowed to stage a race against time to save a popular sport and recreation club which is facing the axe.

More than 300 people turned out for a meeting last night at Acklam Grange School to campaign against the closure of the Middlesbrough Co-operative Sports and Social Club.

Full members of the club have decided to close the facility on February 10 and sell the five-acre site, which includes a bowling green and cricket field. And house builders Wimpey have applied for planning consent to build 32 homes on the site, at the junction of Acklam Road and Green Lane.

The situation has angered almost 400 associate members, who have no voting rights who have already won the support of Middlesbrough Council leader Ken Walker and Independent Councillor Ron Lowes.

Now associate members and local residents have pledged to do all they can to save the popular venue, which may include marches and sit-ins.

Protesters are even discussing the possibility of taking out a court injunction against the development.

They have already written to the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair asking for their backing.

Peter McConnell, of the associate members group's steering committee, said: "We will carry on fighting until sense prevails.

"We have offered to buy the club but they would not accept that. That way we would still have had a facility for Acklam, which is essential."

The club's facilities include cricket, weightlifting and bowling. But Mark Walker, club secretary, has said the club had a limited future for the full members whose building and land it was. He added the club was set up originally by employees of the Middlesbrough Co-operative Society.

Full members and Wimpey representatives failed to turn up at last night's meeting. Cllr Lowes, along with Cllr Walker, said they would contact Wimpey and urge them to take part in a further meeting.

Cllr Lowes added the plans for the development included the retention of the bowling green and a new children's playground on the old clubhouse site.

"But we need to make them see that is not going to happen for the next 20 or 30 years," he told the meeting.

"Why, during that time, close the club? It is not losing money and it is being enjoyed by people."

The next meeting will take place at Acklam Grange School at 7pm next Wednesday.